Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomes 8-year-old female lar gibbon

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) is welcoming its newest addition to Primate World, an 8-year-old female lar gibbon named Keoki, who recently arrived from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

“Lar gibbons, also known as white-handed gibbons, are endangered primates native to the tropical forests of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand,” wrote CMZoo on Facebook.

The Zoo added that Keoki is already starting to bond with her care team and is showing an interest in training—especially if cherries are on the menu.

“She will gently take pitted cherries from her care team and make soft cooing sounds while she eats them,” CMZoo wrote. “One of her favorite spots in her new home is a hammock high up in her habitat, which her care team now calls her ‘throne.’ From there, she likes to watch guests down below.”

Courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Soon, a male lar gibbon will be joining Keoki in Primate World, and CMZoo told the community to stay tuned for updates.

“The arrival of Keoki and the male gibbon supports the Gibbon Species Survival Plan, helping to manage a diverse and healthy population in human care while inspiring gibbon preservation for their wild counterparts,” CMZoo added. “Lar gibbons usually live in small family groups made up of a bonded pair and their offspring.”

According to CMZoo, similar to orangutans, lar gibbons are impacted by unsustainable palm oil production, “…which has led to deforestation and the loss of their natural habitat.” The community can help save their rainforests and can learn about how to do that by clicking here.

Meantime, Keoki is settling nicely into her new home and is loving Colorado Springs.

“Already visible to guests in Primate World, her captivating eyes, tiny nose, and adorable hairdo are quickly melting hearts,” CMZoo wrote.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *